100 



action of the neck follows, nearly to completion, 

 tlie torsions of the loins and of the ophidian Sy 

 making the centre of this latter betiveen (the lower 

 points of the shoulder-blades,'^) the centre of force,\ the 

 neck, being itseK the centre of action. Then an- 

 other torsion, in which the eyes participate, and 

 into which are brought the final turn of the limbs,, 

 together with the finishing of all the torsions, 

 makes the head the governour of direction. 



§ 100. It may be remarked that in making the 

 foregoing distinctions of three S S S and of sim- 

 ple composite and bicomposite spines, no one of 

 these, in a perfect body, acts without, at least in 

 some degree, affecting the others. Thus, the 

 slightest change in the ophidian S should alter 

 the line of gravity over the feet, and require a mo- 

 tion of- the whole frame to adjust it. 



§ 101. In man the ^Ve toes, i\iQ five fingers, and the 

 hones which in the palm of the hand and in the" sole 

 of the foot support them, would seem to represent 

 the ends of five ribs belonging to five vertebrae^ 

 required to make up an S (§ 85), and, as such, we 



* Where, as will be seen further on, is also the centre of the luugs*^ 

 actioB. 



t This fundamental centre not being reached, unless the working of 

 the body is perfect, even a moderate distortion by the right-hand de- 

 formity occasions a great loss of power and accuracy in all motion. 



